Motion-Based Control for a Personal Massager
A personal massage apparatus includes a personal massager and can also include a controller for controlling the operation of the massager. The massager includes a motor or other motion-causing device and can also include an interface (e.g., a wireless interface) to the controller (where such a controller is included). The controller is a remote control that can include a motion sensor (e.g., an accelerometer) for detecting motion of the controller (e.g., changes in orientation). The massager can also have a motion sensor for detecting motion of the massager. Circuitry in the controller and/or massager converts the detected motion of the controller or massager into control signals for the controller or massager. The operation of the controller or massager (e.g., the output motor power, a vibration pattern, or another massage setting) is adjusted based on the detected motion of the controller or massager.
Latest LELO INC. Patents:
The present invention relates generally to personal massagers, and more particularly to motion-based control for a personal massage apparatus.
Personal massagers can be operated in a number of manners. Some personal massagers include a user interface on the surface or handle of the massager itself. Others include an interface separate from the massager that allows the user to control the massager. The user can interact with whatever interface is included with the personal massager to turn the massager on or off, adjust the speed or vibration of the massager, or otherwise change settings of the massager during use. Having a convenient mechanism for controlling the personal massager makes it more likely that the user will enjoy the massager and be able to easily operate it.
Massagers having multiple buttons with which to interact, however, can be inconvenient and difficult for the user to manipulate while using the massager. A user distracted during use of the massager can accidentally select the wrong button and inadvertently turn the device on or off, or change a setting the user did not intend to change. For personal massagers that include a user interface on the surface or handle of the massager itself, if the interface of the massager is leaned against or otherwise under pressure, the settings on the massager can be changed without the user even intending to change them. In addition, it can be difficult to manipulate the handle of the massager while also selecting different user controls sitting on that same handle. For personal massagers that include a user interface separate from the massager, it can still be a challenge to select the correct buttons and modify the settings as desired while the massager is in use. The user still has to direct a substantial amount of focus to selecting the right button to adjust the right setting, drawing the user's attention away from simply enjoying the massager. Furthermore, the separate interface may be connected to the massager via wires that are inconvenient during usage of the massager. Thus, while designers of personal massagers have come up with a number of different types of interfaces for their massagers, these designs have certain drawbacks.
SUMMARYEmbodiments include an apparatus and method for motion-based control of a personal massager. In one embodiment, a motion-based personal massage apparatus includes a personal massager and a controller having an interface to the massager. The massager has a motor and at least one surface for interacting with a body. The controller has a motion sensor for detecting motion of the controller. Circuitry in the controller or the massager converts the detected motion of the controller into a control signal for the motor in the massager to adjust operation of the massager based on the detected motion of the controller. As one example, the user can hold the controller and move it around or change the orientation of the controller, and these movements are sensed by the sensor. Different movements or orientations of the controller can be associated with different settings for the massager. Thus, the user can move the controller in a particular manner or change to a particular orientation, and this motion will result in changing the setting of the massager. Rather than manipulating buttons on an interface associated with the massager, the user can choose to ignore any such buttons or other controls and instead move the remote controller to control the operation of the massager.
Another embodiment is a motion-based controller for a personal massager. The motion-based controller includes a control module for controlling the controller and includes a motion sensor in communication with the control module for detecting motion of the controller. The controller also includes an interface to the massager for sending signals to the massager regarding motion of the controller detected by a motion sensor, wherein adjustments are made in operation of the massager based on the detected motion of the controller.
A further embodiment is a motion-controlled personal massager. The massager includes a motor for moving the massager to interact with a body and includes a control module in communication with the motor for controlling operation of the massager. The massager may also include an interface to a controller for receiving signals from the controller regarding motion of the controller detected by a motion sensor. The control module of the massager may be configured to implement adjustments in the operation of the massager based on the detected motion.
Another embodiment is a motion-controlled personal massager that can be operated without a remote controller. The massager includes a motor for moving the massager to interact with a body and includes a control module in communication with the motor for controlling operation of the massager. The massager further includes a motion sensor for detecting motion of the massager. Circuitry in the massager converts the detected motion into a control signal for the motor in the massager to adjust operation of the massager based on the detected motion of the massager. Thus, in this embodiment, the apparatus does not have to include a remote controller (or such a controller can be included but used only when the user so desires). Instead, the user can control the operation of the massager by moving of the massager itself, and this motion is sensed by the motion sensor of the massager and translated to different operation settings of the massager.
An additional embodiment is a method for motion-based control of a personal massager. The method includes steps of detecting motion of a motion sensor in the massager or in a controller that is in communication with the massager and determining an adjustment to be made to operation of the massager or the controller based on the motion of the massager or the controller that was detected. The method further includes a step of converting the detected motion of the massager or the controller into a control signal for the massager or controller that adjusts the operation of the massager or controller in response to the detected motion of the massager or the controller. For example, the motion can be detected by a motion sensor in the controller, which determines the adjustment to the operation of the massager and which is converted into a control signal for the massager to adjust the massager operation. As another example, the motion can be detected by a motion sensor in the massager, which determines the adjustment to the operation of the massager and which is converted into a control signal for the massager to adjust the massager operation. As a further example, the motion can be detected by a motion sensor in the controller, which determines the adjustment to the operation of the controller and which is converted into a control signal for the controller to adjust the controller operation.
The features and advantages described in this summary and the following detailed description are not all-inclusive. Many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims hereof.
The figures depict various embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.
Referring first to
The motion sensor 112 of the motion-based controller 102 is designed to detect motion of the controller 102. A variety of different motion sensors 112 can be used. In one embodiment, the motion sensor is an accelerometer that senses the acceleration of the controller 102. For example, the motion sensor 112 can be a three-axis accelerometer that determines an orientation of the controller in three dimensions, including an X, Y, and Z axis. The sensor 112 can be a capacitive MEMS sensor, a low g inter-integrated circuit (12C) digital acceleration sensor (e.g., acceleration sensor MMA7660FC by FREESCALE™ SEMICONDUCTOR), or another type of sensor for detecting motion of a device. In one embodiment, the motion sensor 112 is an accelerometer that detects at least six different orientation positions of the controller 102 that correspond to different adjustments in the operation of the massager 104. For example, the sensor can detect orientation positions that include left, right, up, down, back, and front. Each orientation position can correspond to a different setting or control for the massager 104, though in some cases, more than one position can correspond to the same massager setting. In other embodiments, only a few positions corresponding to different settings are used for simpler operation of the apparatus 100. In further embodiments, the sensor 112 is designed to detect shaking or tapping of the controller 102 or other types of controller motion, and these movements can be used to control different settings on the massager 104. For example, a user could tap the controller 102 to change the settings or could tap the controller 102 a certain number of times or in certain locations for different settings. Similarly, the user could shake the controller 102 in different directions to change between settings.
In the embodiment of
In some embodiments, the controller 102 can, itself, be a personal massager and provide massage to the body. In these embodiments, the controller 102 can include at least one surface that contacts the body (e.g., a human body) or a portion of the body to provide the massage. The motor 106 in the controller 102 generates the massage motion of the controller 102. The motor 106 can vibrate or otherwise move the controller 102 in a variety of manners, including creating various vibration patterns or tempos. The motor 106 can move the controller 102 more slowly or more rapidly depending on the setting. In some embodiments, the controller 102 can include more than one motor for operating different portions of the controller 102. In further embodiments, both the controller 102 and the massager 104 can be used as personal massagers simultaneously, or the user can rotate between using the controller 102 or massager 104 as a personal massager. Since the controller 102 has a motion sensor 112, the motion sensor can detect motion of the controller 102 and adjust the massage settings of the controller 102 based on this motion.
The controller 102 and massager 104 also include interfaces 110 and 160 that permit the controller 102 and the massager 104 to interact or communicate. Using interface 110, the controller 102 can send control signals or instructions to the massager 104 regarding what setting to implement in the massager 104. For example, the control signals can indicate that the massager 104 should turn on or off, increase or decrease speed, switch to a different vibration pattern, switch to a particular pattern desired by the user, turn on one motor and off another motor, switch between operation of two different motors or different areas of the massager 104, among other instructions. In other embodiments, the massager 104 determines what settings correspond with the motion detected, and the control signals sent by the controller 102 simply provide data regarding the motion detected. In these embodiments, the massager 104 implements an algorithm or otherwise determines how the massager operation should be adjusted.
The interfaces 110 and 160 can be wired or wireless interfaces, such as wireless transceivers that transmit and/or receive control signals between the devices. In some embodiments, the interfaces 110, 160 are radio-frequency (RF) transceivers for transmitting/receiving RF signals between the devices. One example of an RF transceiver that could be used is a low power 2.4 GHz RF transceiver (e.g., transceiver CC2500 by TEXAS INSTRUMENTS®). In these embodiments, the controller 102 and/or massager 104 may also include antennas for transmitting/receiving signals. In other embodiments, the interfaces 110, 160 use other technology for transmitting/receiving signals between the two devices. For example, the interfaces 110, 160 can use BLUETOOTH®, WiFi, infrared, laser light, visible light, acoustic energy, among a variety of other ways to transmit information wirelessly between the controller 102 and the massager 104.
In some embodiments, the controller 102 and/or the massager 104 are connected to a network via a personal computer or a telephone, or are directly connected to a wireless router or a cellular phone network.
In the embodiment of
Circuitry in the controller 102 and/or the massager 104 converts the motion of the controller 102 detected by the motion sensor 112 into a control signal for the motor 156 in the massager 104. In this manner, the apparatus 100 can cause an adjustment in the operation of the massager 104 based on the detected motion of the controller 102. In embodiments in which the controller 102 also acts as a massager, circuitry in the controller 102 converts the motion of the controller 102 detected by the motion sensor 112 into a control signal for motor 106 in the controller. Thus, the apparatus 100 can also cause an adjustment in the operation of the controller 102 based on the detected motion of the controller.
The controller 102 can be designed to be a handheld device that the user using the massage apparatus 100, or another user, can hold and manipulate to control the motion of the massager 104. In one embodiment, the operation of the massager 104 is adjustable by a user manually tilting the controller 102 in different directions to change an orientation of the controller 102. This tilting of the controller 102 can, for example, increase or decrease motor power of the massager, change at least one setting of the massager, etc. For example, tilting in one direction could turn the massager 104 on and tilting the opposite way could turn it off. Similarly, tilting the device to the front or back could result in different vibration settings being activated in the massager 104. In addition, tilting at different angles in various directions could modify various settings. Furthermore, shaking the controller 102 in a particular manner or tapping it in particular locations could result in further changes to the settings of the massager 104. These various changes in settings can occur automatically, without requiring user interaction with or manipulation of the massager 104. Thus, the user can adjust the settings of the massager 104 to his preferences while using the massager 104 by simply moving around the controller in different ways. Rather than manipulating buttons on an interface associated with the massager, the user can choose to ignore this interface and instead move the remote controller 102 to control and change settings of the massager 104, as desired.
In some embodiments, the user holds the massager 184 in his or her hand and moves the massager around to control operation of the massager. In other embodiments, the massager 184 can be moved around by the user's body. For example, if the massager 184 is resting on or pinned between parts of the user's body (or between parts of two users' bodies), the user (or users) can move his body (their bodies) in order to adjust the orientation of the massager, thereby changing the settings of the massager, as desired. Similarly, a user other than the user who is receiving the massage can move the massager in order to control operation of the massager.
15°: Output motor power=5
30°: Output motor power=7
45°: Output motor power=9
60°: Output motor power=11
75°: Output motor power=13
90°: Output motor power=15
Where an angle of 15 degrees has been determined, this correlates with an output motor power of 5 in the above example. Thus, the controller 102 can provide a control signal to the massager 104 indicating that the motor 156 should implement an output motor power of 5 (or this comparison can be performed on the massager 104). Where no controller 102 is included, the massager itself provides the control signal for its own motor. Where a 30-degree angle is detected, an output motor power of 7 is implemented. Similarly, the different angles can correlate with other information or settings, such as turning the massager 104 on or off, particular vibration settings or patterns, different vibration speeds, different parts of the massager 104 vibrating, etc.
In the
In some embodiments of the two-way massager apparatus 700 of
Referring now to
Various steps of motion-based control of a personal massager are illustrated in
A further step includes converting 806 the detected motion of the controller into a control signal for the massager and/or controller that adjusts the operation of the massager and/or controller in response to the detected motion of the controller. In certain embodiments, the movement of the controller is converted into control signals to adjust the operation of the controller and massager simultaneously. In some embodiments, the method also includes sending 808 (e.g., wirelessly) a control signal to or within the massager and/or controller and receiving 810 the control signal at or within the massager and/or controller, wherein the control signal is a signal regarding the motion of the controller and/or the particular adjustment to be made to the massager/controller operation. The method can also include controlling 812 the motor of the massager/controller to change one or more settings for the massager/controller, such as an output motor power, a vibration pattern, etc. in response to the control signal. The method can continue to repeat these steps as additional changes in motion are detected 802 resulting in different adjustments to the operation of the massager/controller.
In embodiments in which the massager and/or controller includes a body parameter sensor, the method also includes detecting 814 at least one parameter associated with the human body in contact with either the controller or the massager and adjusting the operation of the massager and/or controller based on this detection by controlling 812 the motor of the massager. Where the body parameter sensor is present in the controller, the controller and/or the massager can determine 804 an adjustment to be made to the operation of the massager, convert 806 this into a control signal, and send 808 this to or within the massager/controller. This information can be transmitted separately or along with the control signals sent regarding motion detected by a motion sensor of the controller. Where the body parameter sensor is present in the massager, this information can either be sent 816 to the controller which can then determine 804 the adjustment, convert 806 to a control signal, and send 808 this back to the massager, or this information can be used directly by the massager in which a control module of the massager implements the required changes and controls 812 the motor of the massager to change the settings. Similarly, this information can be used to make changes to the operation of the controller.
Referring next to
While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. For example, any of the components may employ any of the desired functionality set forth hereinabove. The functions can be distributed differently across the components or different functions can be combined into one component. The massager and controller can be designed to have a variety of different shapes and sizes, and the embodiments shown herein are simply examples of some such shapes and sizes. The internal components of the massager and controller can vary, and can include fewer or more components that those shown here. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
Claims
1. A motion-based personal massage apparatus comprising:
- a massager having at least one surface for interacting with a body, the massager comprising: a motor, a wireless interface configured to receive a control signal providing instructions for a setting to implement in the massager, and a control module configured for controlling operation of the motor according to the received control signal to implement the instructions regarding the setting in the massager;
- a controller comprising: an interface configured to communicate with the massager, a motion sensor configured to detect an orientation of the controller, and circuitry configured to convert the orientation detected by the motion sensor of the controller into the control signal providing the instructions for the motor in the massager, each orientation of the controller corresponding to a different setting of the massager.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface for the controller is a wireless interface for wireless communication with the massager.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is an accelerometer that is configured to detect at least six different orientation positions of the controller that correspond to different adjustments in the operation of the massager.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is a three-axis accelerometer that is configured to determine an orientation of the controller in three dimensions.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is a handheld controller, wherein the motion sensor is configured to detect manual tilting of the handheld controller by a user in different directions to generate different orientations for the handheld controller, wherein the circuitry of the handheld controller is configured to convert each of the different orientations detected into a control signal for a setting of the massager specific that orientation, wherein the interface of the massager is configured to receive the control signal for each orientation, and wherein control module of the massager is configured to implement the setting specific to each orientation.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to increase or decrease motor power of the massager or to change at least one setting of the massager in response to different motions of the controller.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller or the massager includes at least one sensor for detecting a parameter associated with the body that is physically contacting the controller or the massager.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensor is selected from a group consisting of: a temperature sensor, a heart rate sensor, a motion sensor, a touch sensor, and a pressure sensor.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface is a wireless transceiver and wherein the controller further comprises:
- a motor for providing motion of the controller, wherein the controller also acts as a personal massager; and
- a control module in communication with the motor, the motion sensor, and the wireless transceiver for controlling sending of the control signal to the massager.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller or the massager are connected to a network via a personal computer or a telephone, or are directly connected to a wireless router or a cellular phone network.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface is a wireless transceiver and wherein the massager further comprises a control module in communication with the motor and the wireless transceiver for controlling implementation of the adjustments provided via the control signal.
12. A method for motion-based control of a personal massager, the method comprising:
- detecting an orientation of the massager or of a controller that is in communication with the massager, the orientation detected by a motion sensor of the massager or the controller;
- determining a setting for the massager or the controller based on the detected orientation of the massager or the controller, each orientation of the massager or the controller corresponding to a different setting of the massager or the controller;
- converting the detected orientation into a control signal providing instructions regarding the determined setting; and
- applying the control signal to the massager or the controller to adjust the operation of the massager or controller to implement the instructions regarding the determined setting in response to the detected orientation of the massager or the controller.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising wirelessly sending the control signal to the massager from the controller indicating the setting to be implemented in the massager.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the motion detected is a change in orientation of the massager or of the controller and wherein determining setting to be implemented further comprises:
- calculating a value for the orientation of the massager or the controller;
- correlating the value calculated with an adjustment to at least one setting of the massager.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the adjustment to the setting further comprises turning the massager on or off, changing an output motor power for the massager, or changing a vibration pattern for the massager.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein determining setting to be implemented made further comprises:
- determining an orientation of the massager or the controller along at least two axes with an accelerometer;
- applying a tilt orientation algorithm to determine a value for the orientation of the massager or the controller; and
- correlating the value with an adjustment to at least one setting of the massager.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the motion sensor is in the controller and wherein the method further comprises:
- receiving the control signal at the massager from the controller; and
- controlling a motor of the massager to change an output motor power for the massager or a vibration pattern for the massager in response to the control signal.
18. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
- detecting at least one parameter associated with a human body in contact with either the controller or the massager; and
- adjusting the operation of the massager based on the detection.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one parameter detected is wirelessly transmitted between the massager and the controller.
20. The method of claim 12, wherein the motion sensor is in the massager and operation of the massager is controlled by detected motion of the motion sensor in the massager without usage of a separate controller.
21. A motion-based personal massage apparatus comprising:
- a massager body comprising a first arm, a second arm, and a connecting portion connecting the first arm to the second arm in a U-shaped configuration, wherein the first arm and the second arm are enlarged relative to the connecting portion and the massager body is configured to be worn on a body to provide massage thereto;
- a motor housed in at least one of the first arm and the second arm of the massager body;
- a wireless interface in the massager body, the wireless interface configured to receive control signals and to control an operation of the motor based thereon; and
- a remote controller comprising: a user interface for receiving user commands, and circuitry configured to generate control signals for the motor based on received user commands and to communicate the generated control signals wirelessly to the wireless interface in the massager body.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the user interface comprises one or more buttons on the remote controller.
23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the remote controller comprises a motion sensor disposed within the remote controller.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the motion sensor comprises a three-axis accelerometer that determines an orientation of the controller in three dimensions.
25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the circuitry of the remote controller is configured to generate control signals to increase or decrease motor power of the motor.
26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the circuitry of the remote controller is configured to generate control signals to select a vibration pattern for the motor from a plurality of vibration patterns.
27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the remote controller comprises a sensor selected from a group consisting of: a temperature sensor, a heart rate sensor, a motion sensor, a touch sensor, a pressure sensor, and any combination thereof.
28. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the wireless interface is communicatively coupled to a network via a personal computer or a telephone.
29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the massager body is shaped to be worn by a user during intercourse.
30. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the remote controller is a handheld device.
31. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the remote controller is a handheld device operable by a user who is receiving the massage and also operable by another user other than the user who is receiving the massage.
32. A method of operation of an apparatus comprising the personal massage apparatus of claim 21.
33. The method of claim 32 comprising:
- contacting the body with the first arm of the massager;
- contacting the body with the second arm of the massager;
- receiving a control signal from the remote controller regarding instructions for the motor of the massager; and
- controlling the operation of the motor based on the instructions of the received control signal.
34. The method of claim 32 comprising:
- contacting the body with the first arm of the massager;
- contacting the body with the second arm of the massager;
- receiving instructions from the remote controller regarding a vibration pattern for the motor selected from a plurality of vibration patterns; and
- implementing the selected vibration pattern for the motor.
35. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is a handheld device operable by a user who is receiving the massage and also operable by another user other than the user who is receiving the massage.
36. The method of claim 12, wherein the controller is a handheld device operable by a user who is receiving the massage and also operable by another user other than the user who is receiving the massage.
37. A method comprising:
- receiving a body placed into contact with a first arm of a massager;
- receiving the body placed into contact with a second arm of the massager, a connecting portion connecting the first arm to the second arm in a U-shaped configuration, wherein the first arm and the second arm are enlarged relative to the connecting portion, the massager worn on the body to provide massage thereto;
- providing massage to the body using a motor housed in at least one of the first arm and the second arm of the massager;
- receiving, at a wireless interface of the massager, a control signal from a remote controller; and
- controlling an operation of the motor based on the received control signal
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the remote controller comprises a motion sensor disposed within the remote controller.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the motion sensor comprises a three-axis accelerometer that determines an orientation of the remote controller in three dimensions.
40. The method of claim 37, wherein receiving a control signal further comprises receiving a control signal that selects a vibration pattern for the motor from a plurality of vibration patterns.
41. The method of claim 37, wherein receiving a control signal and controlling an operation of a motor further comprise:
- receiving a first control signal that selects a vibration pattern for the motor from a plurality of vibration patterns; and
- implementing the selected vibration setting with the motor.
42. The method of claim 37, wherein receiving a control signal and controlling an operation of a motor further comprise:
- receiving a user command at a user interface of the remote controller, the user command indicating a vibration pattern for the massager selected from a plurality of vibration patterns;
- generating a control signal for the motor of the massager based on the received user command for the selected vibration; and
- communicating the generated control signal wirelessly to the wireless interface of the massager.
43. The method of claim 37, wherein one of the first and second arms is worn inside the body and the other of the first and second arms is worn outside the body.
44. The method of claim 37, wherein the remote controller is a handheld device.
45. The method of claim 37, wherein the remote controller is a handheld device used by both a user who is receiving massage from the massager and by another user other than the user who is receiving the massage.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 10, 2012
Publication Date: Dec 12, 2013
Patent Grant number: 9615994
Applicant: LELO INC. (San Jose, CA)
Inventor: Filip Sedic (Shanghai)
Application Number: 13/492,909